The discovery of two more fruit flies has heightened concerns of a small breeding population in Auckland. A fourth male Queensland fruit fly has been found in a trap in Northcote and a third facialis fruit fly has been found in Ōtara, the Ministry for Primary Industries said on Wednesday.
Auckland University biological sciences professor Jacqueline Beggs said any detection of a fruit fly was concerning. But the fact numbers had risen to eight meant it could be more likely there was a small breeding population in Auckland, she said. Short of closing New Zealand's borders, there was no way to stop fruit flies from entering the country.
No further flies had been found in Devonport since a Queensland fruit fly was discovered on February 14.
Northcote
The Northcote find was about 80 metres inside the current controlled Zone A and no further restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables were required in the suburb, MPI said.
"Our extensive surveillance programme is continuing including trapping, visual inspection of backyard gardens and fruit trees, and collection and laboratory examination of fallen fruit," Biosecurity New Zealand spokeswoman Dr Catherine Duthie told stuff.co.nz.
The Fruit Fly Council is a governance group made up of impacted industry sector representatives and MPI under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partnership.
Chair Stu Hutchings says the responses set up in Otara, Devonport, and Northcote are running well and are following the pre-agreed operational plans established and tested in previous responses. Council members are also involved the decision-making process ensuring the interests of New Zealand’s primary producers are represented fully.
“These fruit fly finds are of great concern for our industries and that’s why we’re part of the governance group leading the investigations, ensuring the most appropriate action is taken to minimise any impact on growers and our wider industry.”
